Would you come in sick to work?
By Scott
@callarse1 (4783)
United States
April 2, 2007 12:19am CST
I will give you some background information. My cousin is having problems with her kidneys. She is having pain with them, and according to the doctor they aren't filtering properly. She has a doctor's note and she told my mom that she took it to her job and they were telling her "you can't miss anymore work because you only have X number of sick days." I thought if someone had a doctor's note and was ACTUALLY sick with a medical condition then that person wouldn't have to go to work. I am surprised that her job was threating her to fire her. She told my mom that she was scarred and she has to talk to her supervisor. I am going to advise her to contact the Equal Opportunity Employment Agency. I think her job is breaking some federal laws. How is it possible to make someone work if the person has a serious medical condition?
So has this situation happened to anyone else? What would you do if your work made you come in and you were very sick (with a similar ailment as my cousin)? Would you quit? Would you contact the government agency? You have to consider that she would lose her insurance if she quit. Have a nice day.
Pablo
1 person likes this
7 responses
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
2 Apr 07
Yes, it is very sad... but in most contracts, you are giving a certain number of paid medical leave days and a certain number of unpaid medical leave days. It may sound unfair at first glance since no one would voluntarily want to be sick.
However, from the company's point of view, it is hard for it to function properly if an employee takes a prolonged sick leave that has no end date. What if she just disappear for 3 years on unpaid leave because she is genuinely sick? Must the company hold the position for her till she returns? If someone can go missing for 3 years and cause the company no inconvenience, then the company doesn't need to employ her in the first place.
I am not arguing for either side... just sharing the reasons.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Thank you for your words. Well, she wouldn't need 3 years off. Actually, she is not on a contract job. She applied for the job, went in for the interview and was hired. I believe she has been working for them a little over a year. I understand if she was on a contract (perhaps via a temporary agency). I do understand about being on a long sick leave. It probably is on a case to case basis. For example, some cancer patients need to have a year off from work. However I am praying for her. Thank you for your words.
Pablo
@Gmens91 (389)
• Philippines
3 Apr 07
If I'm that sick then I would definitely not report for work. People in their right minds should always consider that health always takes the first priority in everything you do. Maybe her boss has gotten tired of her being always sick, but you cannot blame her for being that way. If her boss would not listen, then maybe she should talk to someone higher in the organization. I also suggest that she hire a good lawyer so that in the event that they do fire her she can have legal basis if she sues the company for wrongful dismissal.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
4 Apr 07
Thank you for your words. Yes, I agree with you about your words. Sometimes people have to be their own advocates. Thank you and I will tell her what you said.
Pablo
@shah_bijal (108)
• India
2 Apr 07
i have never faced such situation. but if i will too much sick and i will not in a condition to go to work then i definately talk to my boss about my condition. i will make my boss aware of my sickness and about its seriousness. no one will going to fire a person only because that person will not come to work because of his very serious sickness because employees have their own rights and it is the right of the employee to get a leave if he is very much serious or sick. if my boss is too much difficult i.e., if he will going to fire me because of this reason i will definately use my right and fight for the same.
so pls tell ur cousin that take care of her and use her rights
@kurtbiewald (2625)
• United States
3 Apr 07
yes Pablo
I can certainly relate to what you are saying here
If she has a serious medical condition, then she must stay in bed I think, at least 'till she feels better and actually wants to get up
I also think sometimes when people are feeling very very good, they should just call in well. Like say"today the sun is shing, the air is fresh, I feel way too good to come into work today."
i have to wish your cousin good luck
also, if she loses health insurance that is not good
@jammysneatoe (39)
• India
2 Apr 07
well it depends on the intensity of the sickness. if m unable to get out of bed then naturally i wont go to work cause i cant. if i can stand upright i would surely go. its better gettin out of bed than stayin all day in the bed wen ur sick. it increases ur sickness and makes u bedridden.
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
2 Apr 07
Yes, you are right in a way. Of course if she stayed home she wouldn't be in bed. Well she told my mom that her legs are swollen because her kidneys cannot filter good. She says it hurts to walk but she doesn't want to have her legs be swollen. I am not sure what her doctor told her about walking, but she is not supposed to eat anything with salt. So she has to make her own food and cannot add or eat anything with salt. It sounds terrible. I am praying for her and if anyone else can that would be wonderful. Have a nice day.
Pablo
@angela2006 (1845)
• China
2 Apr 07
if you are just an employee and you met a bad boss,then when you are sick,you should cinsider it more and more whether you ask for leave ,because your salary will decrease a lot.
